Indiana defensive lineman Nick Mangieri (56) celebrates getting the ball after Florida International quarterback Alex McGough fumbled during an NCAA college football game in Bloomington, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015. (Chris Howell/Bloomington Herald-Times via AP)

Both Western Kentucky and Indiana will be 2-0 when the teams square off next weekend in Bloomington, Ind.

The Hoosiers surged past a pesky Florida International squad Saturday, setting up a battle of unbeatens this week.

After the win over FIU, Indiana coach Kevin Wilson only referenced the matchup with WKU as a “great challenge next week.”

Wilson was more focused on his Hoosiers’ strong defensive effort against an FIU team that upset Central Florida in the opening week.

Indiana converted three FIU turnovers into 21 points and improved to 2-0 for the first time since 2012.

With Indiana leading 29-22 with a little more than four minutes to play, freshman cornerback Jameel Cook Jr. picked off FIU sophomore quarterback Alex McGough and returned the interception 96 yards for the game-clinching score.

Indiana, which escaped with a 48-47 win over FCS-level Southern Illinois in its opener, trailed FIU 14-13 at halftime.

“The pick was huge,” Wilson told reporters in Bloomington after the game. “We’ve only had one turnover to date, so we’re on the plus side, which is a sign of a good team. We’re playing close games and finding ways … so there’s a lot of positives.”

IU senior quarterback Nate Sudfeld, who participated in the Manning Passing Academy over the summer with WKU QB Brandon Doughty, completed 19 of 33 passes for a touchdown and an interception Saturday. He also rushed for two scores.

Indiana junior running back Jordan Howard – a UAB transfer – rushed for 159 yards.

“They’ve got a good quarterback,” WKU coach Jeff Brohm said Thursday. “Trust me, they’ll be hungry and ready to go.”

— Zach Greenwell